The sunshine came out in Sydney on another thrilling day of football for day two of the Emerging Matildas Championships.
Northern NSW Football walked away from the day with a hard-fought draw and loss.
The under-15s side opened the day with a bold 1-1 draw with Football NSW Sky.
Both sides came out determined to take all three points in the NSW derby, but it was Football NSW Sky who dominated possession in the first half.
NNSWF goalkeeper Quiola Arthur denied them the opportunity to take the lead in the eighth minute after she blocked a one-on-one shot.
Football NSW Sky opened the scoring in the 20th minute after they slotted a ball into the goal just past Arthur’s fingertips and went into half-time leading 1-0.
NNSWF were not backing down and went into the second half determined for a result and the moment came in the 38th minute.
Pippa Dodd launched the ball from a corner into the box and caused confusion between the players before it fell into the goal.
Football NSW Sky pushed to add another to the scoreboard in the 53rd and 57th minutes but hit the crossbar and were denied by Arthur.
Neither side could add another to the tally and the score remained locked 1-1 when the final whistle blew.
The under-16s side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Football NSW Sky after a determined effort.
Football NSW Sky pestered NNSWF’s defence from the first whistle as they launched a powerful ball towards the goal in the sixth minute but hit the crossbar.
NNSWF’s goalkeeper Caoimhe Bray denied them the chance to open the scoring in the ninth minute before Jamie Grobler forced the Football NSW Sky goalkeeper to tap the ball over the crossbar in the 10th minute.
Football NSW Sky appeared to have scored the first of the game in the 25th minute but was ruled offside.
The two sides could not be separated as they went into half-time locked 0-0.
NNSWF came out of the gates firing as the second half began and dominated possession for the opening minutes.
Strong defence by NNSWF continued to deny Football NSW Sky the opportunity to find the back of the net.
NNSWF’s Hanna Abson had the best chance for the under-16s in the 47th minute as she went one-on-one with their goalkeeper off her line but was shut down.
Football NSW Sky netted the only goal of the game in the 49th minute and despite the under-16s determination to equalise the score remained 1-0 when the final whistle blew.
NNSWF Technical Director Ryan Doidge was glad to see the determination of the players and looked towards day three.
“Whilst the results weren’t probably what we were hoping for, I’m really pleased with the performances from both squads,” Doidge said.
“In the under-15s, they showed huge amounts of determination and enthusiasm in terms of defending key areas in and around the box.
“The under-16s built on the foundation that they laid yesterday and were unlucky not to come away with a point, but there were some real positive moments by some individual players.
“We will now focus on recovery this afternoon, whilst our coaching staff will review the games to provide our players with a good environment ahead of a very important day coming up tomorrow in terms of the tournament itself.”
More on the Emerging Matildas Championships
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